Riverwalk mugging suspect identified
Richmond County sheriff’s investigators have identified Kevin D. Richardson as a suspect in the beatings and robbery of Wesley Spires and Ashley Solesbee at Riverwalk Augusta last week and are asking for the public’s help in finding him.
If you have any information, call the Sheriff’s Office at (706) 821-1080. Callers may remain anonymous.
Solesbee, 25, and Spires, 27, both of South Carolina, were attacked with metal bats or pipes about 11 p.m. May 3. Both had facial fractures and head wounds, and Spires had a broken hand.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo says Georgia will be ready for South Carolina
While playing in a golf tournament Thursday morning, Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo fielded a popular question from his playing partners.
What’s the game plan this fall for South Carolina superstar defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who posted a sack and two tackles for loss in the Gamecocks’ 35-7 win over Georgia last season?
“I think we’re going to do the old Burt Reynolds’ Longest Yard and not block and let (Aaron Murray) throw it as hard as he can at him,” Bobo said, laughing.
Cancer doctor Otis Brawley urges MCG graduates to focus on disease prevention
Even with a distinguished career and a top position at the American Cancer Society, Dr. Otis Brawley conceded he was envious of the new crop of physicians emerging from the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University that will benefit from advances in knowledge and treatment.
The new generation must focus on disease prevention, proven treatments supported by science and the reduction of costs that could threaten the country financially.
Letter carriers to collect food donations left by mailboxes on Saturday
Letter carriers across the nation will collect more than just mail Saturday.
The National Association of Letter Carriers and Campbell Soup Co. are sponsoring the 21st annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. It is the nation’s largest single-day food drive benefiting partner organizations of Feeding America.
In 2012, 70 million pounds of food nationwide were donated. Golden Harvest Food Bank is the local recipient of donations collected during the drive.
Aiken man charged with threatening R.E. Phelon employees
An Aiken man was arrested Thursday for making threatening phone calls to employees at the R.E. Phelon plant in Aiken.
Gary Supeau was charged with four counts of unlawful use of the telephone, according to an Aiken County Sheriff’s Office news release.
On Wednesday at 3:25 p.m., police responded to the plant at 2063 University Parkway for a complaint of threats. Following an investigation, Supeau was taken into custody at his residence without incident.
Fifth Street bridge hump still an issue to motorists
Steve Daly has lived in the Augusta area for almost 50 years and knows from experience to slow almost to a halt when crossing the Fifth Street bridge.
He said drivers traveling faster than 10 mph could become airborne, lose control of their vehicles or possibly hit nearby street lamps and drainage curbs.
Daly’s assessment might sound extreme, but residents, business owners and taxi drivers share the same observations, imploring the city for decades to smooth out the hump leading into the overpass, which was built in 1931.
Men involved in Augusta shootout sentenced on weapon charges
Devin Washington doted on his father until the twin towers fell with his father inside on Sept. 11, 2001, his defense attorney said Thursday.
Next month, Washington, 20, must stand trial a second time on a charge of murder.
He and Marcus Washington, 23, no relation, stood trial together last week in Richmond County Superior Court. They blamed each other for starting a July 5 gun battle outside a Gordon Highway nightclub that killed Pr’shawn Williams, 22.
Part of Golden Camp to close Monday through Wednesday
A portion of Golden Camp Road will be closed Monday through Wednesday while crews install a water line tap.
The installation will affect southbound traffic in the 2400 block from Acorn to Gibson roads between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.
Two-way traffic will be maintained.
Augusta baby sitter accused of child abuse pleads guilty
An Augusta woman accused of using a plastic ball bat to discipline a 6-year-old pleaded guilty Thursday in Richmond County Superior to child abuse charges.
Julia A. Baitmon, 22, was arrested in February when a friend reported her youngest child came home with welts and a knot on his head after Baitmon baby-sat for her four children. The children said Baitmon forced the victim’s older brothers to hold him down for the punishment, Assistant District Attorney Hank Syms said.
Ga. official holds social media 'town hall'
ATLANTA – One statewide officeholder is using social media as a forum for discussion with citizens who know the right “hashtag.”
Politicians have long held what they call town-hall meetings that mimic the governing conferences small towns in the northeastern United States hold a few times yearly to decide community issues. In recent years, members of Congress have tapped new technology that calls constituent homes to invite them to participate in teleconferences labeled as town hall meetings.
Charges possible in Gordon Highway wreck
An Augusta man could face charges in a single-vehicle crash Thursday morning.
According to a news release, Kevin Ports, 41, was driving eastbound on Gordon Highway about 2 a.m. when he accelerated at a high speed onto Milledgeville Road.
Police said the vehicle went airborne after it veered off the road at the intersection of Milledgeville and Kissingbower roads. Ports was thrown from the vehicle.
He was taken to Georgia Regents Medical Center for treatment.
Authorities said charges of driving under the influence are possible.
Man with shovel killed by SC cop
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Prosecutors say an Orangeburg County sheriff’s deputy was justified when he shot and killed a suspect who was using a shovel in what was called a “threatening manner.”
The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reported that prosecutor David Pascoe has decided that no charges will be filed against Deputy Steve Thompson.
Forty-two-year-old Barry Caldwell was shot and killed March 19.
Pascoe made the decision after reviewing a report by the State Law Enforcement Division.
Aiken shooting under investigation
AIKEN -- Police are investigating a shooting that took place around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Hahn Village area of Aiken.
According to Aiken Public Safety Sgt. Aaron Dowdy, officers stopped a vehicle with the male victim inside on the way to the hospital.
The victim, whose injuries did not appear life threatening, was then transported by ambulance to Aiken Medical Center where he is talking with authorities, Dowdy said.
Augusta father charged with child cruelty
An Augusta father being sought by police on first-degree child cruelty charges is in custody.
George Pacheco, 23, was booked into jail Wednesday.
Police were called Monday to a Wylds Road apartment where they found Pacheco’s daughter with redness and swelling to the face, neck, head and back. According to an investigation, the child was punished for receiving a negative discipline report at school.
School system considering pay reductions for junior ROTC instructors
As one way to deal with staggering budget cuts from state and federal programs, the Richmond County School System is considering shortening the employment contracts of its 20 junior ROTC instructors beginning next year.
Chief Human Resources Officer Norman Hill sent a memo to high school principals Friday stating that instructors will drop from 12-month to 11-month contracts for the 2013-14 year and to 10 months in 2014-15.
Georgia Regents University graduate follows parents' paths
It was no easy path but it seemed predestined that Preethi Ganapathy would choose the dual M.D./Ph.D. program at Georgia Regents University.
At the Hooding Ceremony today for the Medical College of Georgia, she will have the rare honor of receiving the hood from both her mother, an infectious-disease physician at GRU, and her father, a researcher and the chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
USC Aiken men's golf advances to Division II finals
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. — USC Aiken will make its 17th appearance in the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship.
The Pacers posted a final-round 293 on Wednesday and placed seventh in the South/Southeast Regional, finishing one stroke ahead of Barton College.
The top seven teams in the regional advanced to finals May 20-24 in Hershey, Pa.
Nova Southeastern closed with 284 to win the regional. Also advancing to the finals are Barry, Columbus State, Florida Southern, Lynn and West Florida.
Doctors Hospital tops in charges but Georgia Regents Medical Center gets most pay, data shows
Doctors Hospital generally had the highest charges among Augusta hospitals for common procedures, including the highest charge for a procedure in Georgia, while Georgia Regents Medical Center received the highest Medicare payments as a result of extra funds for teaching and treating more low-income people, according to data released Wednesday by the federal government.
Stratford residents seek answers after thefts
Stratford residents are looking to the courts for justice and the board of their neighborhood association for changes after its former treasurer was charged Tuesday with stealing more than a quarter-million dollars from her neighbors.
Laurie Wainwright Vanover, 45, of Andover Court, was charged with theft by taking, theft by conversion, computer fraud and financial transaction card fraud. She has been released from the Columbia County Detention Center after posting a $40,400 bond, according to county jailers.
Woman hurt in Riverwalk Augusta mugging asks forgiveness for assailants
Ashley Solesbee wants her attackers to come forward so there can be justice but also so she can talk to them and plead that they turn their lives around.
“I know they need the love of Jesus right now,” she said Wednesday at her church, Belvedere First Baptist.
Solesbee, 25, and her date, Wesley Spires, 27, both of South Carolina, were attacked with metal bats or pipes on Riverwalk Augusta about 11 p.m. Friday.
